The Edwards Aquifer is San Antonio’s source of drinking water. It is an underground layer of porous, honeycombed water-bearing rock about 300 to 700 feet thick. The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) uses this water as well as other several non-Edwards Aquifer water sources to secure the city’s water future.

This is a current reading from the J-17 Index Well. Refreshes every 15 minutes.

Quality Reports from SAWS

Year-round watering is when the City of San Antonio is not under any drought restrictions.

If San Antonio does enter any drought restrictions, there are four stages of watering restrictions San Antonio can enter.

Stage 1: Aquifer level drops 660 feet mean sea level 

• All residential fountains and indoor commercial fountains can operate at any stage of drought. Outdoor commercial fountains must have a SAWS variance in order to operate during drought stages 1 through 4.
• Watering with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose is allowed only once a week before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on your designated watering day.
• Water waste is prohibited at all times. Water waste includes allowing water to run off into a gutter, ditch, or drain; or failing to repair a controllable leak.
• Watering days begin and end at midnight; overnight watering is not allowed.
• You should reduce water consumption by any means available.
• All non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25 percent of the surface area covered with evaporation screens when not in use. Inflatable pool toys or floating decorations may be used.
• Watering with a hand-held hose, drip irrigation, bucket or watering can is permitted any time and any day.
• Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Health and safety exceptions to this rule may be requested from SAWS here.
• Residential car washing allowed during drought once per week on Saturday or Sunday as long as there is no water waste.
• The use of SAWS-certified commercial car wash facilities is allowed any day.
• Operators of golf courses, athletic fields, and parks must submit a conservation plan to SAWS. For submittal requirements, operators should contact SAWS Conservation Department at 210-704-SAVE. Golf courses, athletic fields, and parks may not irrigate between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Landscape areas on golf courses not directly “in play” are required to follow one-day-per-week watering based on address unless otherwise instructed by SAWS.

Stage 2: Aquifer reaches 650 feet mean sea level

• ll restrictions from Stage 1 remain in effect unless added to or replaced by Stage 2 rules.
• Landscape watering with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose is allowed only once a week from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated watering day, as determined by your address.
• Watering with drip irrigation or 5-gallon bucket is permitted any day, but only between 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m.
• All residential fountains and indoor commercial fountains can operate at any stage of drought.
• Outdoor commercial fountains must have a SAWS variance in order to operate during drought stages 1 through 4.
• Watering with a hand-held hose is allowed any time on any day.
• All non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25 percent of the surface area covered with evaporation screens when not in use. Inflatable pool toys or floating decorations may be used for this purpose.
• Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Health and safety exceptions to this rule may be requested from SAWS here.
• Residential car washing allowed during drought once per week on Saturday or Sunday as long as there is no water waste.
• The use of SAWS-certified commercial car wash facilities is allowed any day.
• Operators of golf courses, athletic fields, and parks must submit a conservation plan to SAWS. For requirements, contact SAWS at 210-704-SAVE. Golf courses, athletic fields, and parks may not irrigate between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Hotels, motels, and other lodgings must offer and clearly notify guests of a “linen/towel change on request only” program.

And don’t forget to follow these year-round rules:

• Water waste is prohibited at all times. This includes lawn watering overspray and runoff.
• Restaurants may serve water only on request (to reduce dishwashing).
• Charity car washes allowed only at commercial car wash facilities.

LANDSCAPE WATERING

Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is allowed only once a week from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated watering day as determined by the last number of your street address.

Stage 3: Aquifer reaches 640 feet mean sea level 

• All restrictions from Stage 1 and Stage 2 remain in effect unless added to or replaced by Stage 3 rules.
• Landscape watering allowed only every other week with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated watering day, as determined by your address. Weeks when no watering is allowed will be announced via local media and online.
• Watering with drip irrigation is allowed every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but only from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m.
• Watering with a hand-held hose is allowed any time on any day.
• All residential fountains and indoor commercial fountains can operate at any stage of drought. Outdoor commercial fountains must have a SAWS variance in order to operate during drought stages 1 through 4.
• All non-public swimming pools must have a minimum of 25 percent of the surface area covered when not in use. Inflatable pool toys or floating decorations may be used for this purpose.
• Washing impervious cover such as parking lots, driveways, streets or sidewalks is prohibited. Health and safety exceptions may be requested from SAWS here.
• Residential car washing allowed during drought once per week on Saturday or Sunday as long as there is no water waste.
• The use of SAWS-certified commercial car wash facilities is allowed any day.
• Operators of golf courses, athletic fields, and parks must reduce watering per city ordinance. For requirements, call 210-704-SAVE.
• Hotels, motels, and other lodgings must limit linen/towel changes to once every three nights, except for health and safety.

And don’t forget to follow these year-round rules:

• Water waste is prohibited at all times. This includes lawn watering overspray and runoff.
• Restaurants may serve water only on request (to reduce dishwashing).
• Charity car washes allowed only at commercial car wash facilities.

LANDSCAPE WATERING

Landscape watering is allowed only EVERY OTHER WEEK, from 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. with an irrigation system, sprinkler or soaker hose, and only on your designated watering day.

Stage 4: Aquifer becomes insufficient to meet customer demand

All stage 3 restrictions become in effect and landscape irrigation and drought surcharge is applied to monthly bills. Water can only be utilized at the discretion of the city council.